Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli 84, Gardone Riviera, Italy | (888) 551-4925
Historic charm, elegant furnishings, and lake views
Stylish outdoor pool with bright blue lounge chairs and a bar shaded by trees
Large and bright rooms with balconies or verandas
Three stylish and classic meeting rooms with antique wood decor
Cozy spa with sauna and Turkish bath
Piano bar with tufted black leather counter and dance floor
Open-air Lemon Garden Restaurant with billowy fabric ceiling and lake views
Fine dining in the Grand Hotel Restaurant
Free breakfast
Charge for parking and in-room Wi-Fi
Area shops and local activities are only open seasonally
The mid-range, 167-room Grand Hotel Gardone Riviera was the first hotel to be built on the banks of Lake Garda. It comes with a private jetty for guests with boats, a charming outdoor heated pool, and a variety of on-site dining options. Although Wi-Fi is free in common areas, guests must pay for access in the spacious and classically decorated rooms, all of which have verandas or balconies. If that's a deal-breaker, the nearby Hotel Savoy Palace offers lake views and free Wi-Fi at cheaper rates.
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Scene
Lakefront hotel with elegant touches and deep history
The Grand Hotel Gardone was the first Lake Garda hotel to open its doors, and dates back to 1884. The property retains its rich history and some historical touches. The charming yellow, white, and salmon colored building has arched windows, columns, and balconies. A private walkway winds alongside the lake, in front of the hotel. The common areas celebrate a bygone era. The red-carpeted lobby features a sleek white front desk, trimmed in lacquered wood and stamped with a gold monogram of the hotel's initials. Carpeted hallways are lined with arched windows that let in plenty of natural light. The hotel also has elegant sitting areas and rooms with intricate moldings, arched doorways and windows, and comfy furniture. Former guests of note include King George of Saxony, Prince Gabriele D'Annunzio, Winston Churchill, Vladimir Nabokov, and W. Somerset Maugham.
Location
On the edge of Lake Garda in the Gardone Riviera
The hotel is perched on the edge of Lake Garda and at the center of the Gardone Riviera. There are a few other hotels in the immediate area surrounding the property; restaurants within close driving distance include Antico Brolo (two minutes away), Agli Angeli (three minutes) and Ristorante Pizzeria Nablus (six minutes). The closest bus stop is across the street and the Desenzano Railway Station is a half-hour drive. Getting to Verona takes an hour by car and Venice takes around two hours via toll roads. The Brescia airport is a half-hour drive away.
Rooms
Spacious and classically furnished rooms with balconies or verandas
Rooms have classic style and antique-inspired furniture, in the Standard Rooms, some pieces look a bit outdated, wall decor is sparse, and there is wall-to-wall carpeting. Suites typically have arched entryways and hardwood floors, and some have separate living rooms. The busy patterned fabrics found in many rooms may strike some as old-fashioned rather than charming.All rooms have balconies or terraces, and some have stunning lake views. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, writing desks, and safes. Bathrooms are modern, with bidets, bathtubs, and showers. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms for an additional charge.
Features
Casual and formal restaurants and a lovely little spa
The numerous dining options at the Grand Hotel Gardone include the Lemon Garden, with white and yellow flowing fabric draped from the ceiling and splendid lake views, a main restaurant, and a couple of bars. The Grand Hotel is the main restaurant and offers fine dining with beautiful old wood floors, gold window coverings, arched doorways, and lake-facing terrace seating. Winnie's Piano Bar has a marble dance floor, a black grand piano, and a brass bar counter with tufted black leather and matching stools. Winston Churchill is rumored to have sipped champagne here. Winnie's Pool Bar offers snacks and drinks under tropical trees. The hotel also has a small spa with a Turkish bath and sauna as well as massages, waxing, and mani-pedis on offer.
